This weekend, we celebrate the First Communions of 40 children in our parish community. Its a wonderful experience to see their joy of receiving the Eucharist after waiting so long. It always renews my appreciation for this heavenly gift and it is something I wish more people could witness, in hopes that it would renew theirs. 

So if I can capture a piece of that excitement and offer it as a reflection this week to share with you, it would be to challenge you to examine your own beliefs about the Eucharist. I'm a firm believer that the experience of any sacrament grows as we reflect upon it after its receipt. In the moment, we have no idea of God's immeasurable love for us, but as our minds expand and grow and our capacity grows, it is through reflection that God enlightens us to know more fully God's mysteries. 

And as adults, we have some very advanced formulas for articulating the importance of the Eucharist. I spend a great deal of my time sharing with adults (and adolescents) the concept of an "efficacious sign." That's the concept of the sacraments that we hold that yes, the Eucharist is a sign, but the type of sign it is makes it different from us calling it "just a sign." We also could delve into 12th century concepts of matter and substance, ideas radically different than the ones we hold with our knowledge of time-space, atoms, matter and energy. But if we could suspend our current knowledge of physics and post-Einstein relativism, the concept of Transubstantiation is a great conversation we could have about the Eucharist.

These concepts, and more, are exquisite prose developed by some of the most brilliant minds in history. Some are surprised however that in our educational plan for the students of Saint Andrew School and Religious Education, we don't start with these lofty ideas. We don't for the simple reason that children at the age of 7, 8, or 9 don't have the mental processing skills to understand these complex concepts. 

Where we do start with our children is actually what I'd like to capture briefly and remind you of as well. Receiving the Holy Eucharist is being welcomed to the table of of Jesus and in receiving it, we become closer members of Jesus' family. It is Jesus showing us that he loves us and we have the opportunity to accept his love. 

Religious Education in Catholic parishes today can sometimes be criticized because people walk out of our programs and aren't able to quote doctrine articulated from the 11th Century. We sometimes hear, "All I learned was that Jesus loves me, but I don't know more than that." 

Don't get me wrong, I want all of us to know more than that and for those who have the interest and the capacity, they should learn from the incredible vault in the deposit of faith. But if we don't get the first things first, then it all falls flat. The first thing is that God loves us. Jesus loves us. We hear in the second reading this weekend "In this is love; not that we have loved God, but that he loved us." 1 John 4:10. When we truly grasp the earth-shattering reality of that statement - God loved us... first. Then the rest becomes very interesting footnotes. 

If you are looking for a sense of renewal in your faith and in particular, a more expansive understanding of why the Sacrament of the Eucharist is so critical to us as Catholics. Start with the same point of learning that we teach our young children. In this (efficacious) sign, Jesus is showing that he loves you. You are part of his family. You are included and important not only to Jesus, but to each member of the Body of Christ, the Church. If you can renew that child-like awe in your spiritual life, you will be filled with joy, and the rest will follow. 

School Board Elections

Saint Andrew School is blessed with a strong School Advisory Board. Each year there are four seats up for retention or election.  If you would like to place your name in nomination for school board please contact Ms. Eley or  Mrs. Casavechia for an application. Applications are due to us by May 10 with voting taking place on May 17th to the 24th. School Board members attend one formal meeting a month and are assigned committees that help to enhance Saint Andrew School. 

Come Join Us!

Applications are now open for 24-25! Do you have a friend or neighbor that is considering applying to the best school in Chicago? Sign up for a tour here: schedule a tour New student applications for the 24-25 can be found here: New Student Application